• Brazilian media say offer was around €20m (£16.9m)
• 18-year-old striker was ignored by Brazil for World Cup
The Brazilian club Santos have said they have rejected a bid from Chelsea to sign the teenage striker Neymar.
The São Paulo club said on their website that the offer was made this morning. Though the club did not reveal Chelsea’s bid, the Brazilian media are reporting it was around €20m (£16.9m). The Brazilian club reiterated they do not intend to negotiate over the 18-year-old player.
Neymar, who is reported to have a €35m buyout clause at Santos, is the most talked-about player in Brazilian football this year. Neymar has played for Brazil’s under-16 and under-17 squads but has not yet played for the senior national team.
Many fans and local media wanted him to play in the 2010 World Cup but he was left out by the coach, Dunga, who lost his job following the team’s elimination in the quarter-finals by Holland.
ChelseaSantosTransfer windowguardian.co.uk